Spray Painting Efficiency Training and the New NESHAP

(National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants)

The Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC) is currently providing the Spray Technique Analysis and Research (STAR®) training to painters and paint instructors. This training is dedicated to improving the overall efficiency of manual spray coating operations by enhancing the techniques of painters. Improving spray efficiency through pollution prevention can save a business an average of $4,200 per year, per employee (1996 dollars) while at the same time meeting the new NESHAP regulatory standards and helping to protect the environment.

The Training

The Spray Technique Analysis and Research (STAR®) program was developed by the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) at the University of Northern Iowa. The STAR® program is dedicated to improving the overall efficiency of manual spray coating operations by enhancing the techniques of spray technicians around the country. STAR® addresses:STAR training

On January 9th of 2008, the EPA’s new NESHAP Area Source rules for surface coatings became law. The new regulation addresses paint stripping as well as surface coatings, includes both training requirements and recordkeeping requirements, and specifically includes the automotive collision repair industry. The required NESHAP training elements are met by the STAR® program.

In addition to compliance with the new regulation, other benefits of training include:

Reduced Health Impacts: Toxics, solvents and isocyanates can cause adverse health impacts such as enlarged lungs, irregular heartbeat, kidney failure, and nerve damage. This training can help reduce short and long-term exposure and possible worker's compensation claim issues.

Increased Material Savings: Increased transfer efficiency will reduce material usage. Research has shown that the STAR® program has resulted in an average savings of $4,200 per year, per employee in 1996 dollars. Even the most experienced painters have been shown to improve their efficiency by more than 25% through increased attention to advanced application techniques.

Improved Environmental Impacts: Reduced emissions can result in cleaner air and better community standing. Also, improved spray efficiency generally reduces the amount of hazardous waste generated.

Reduced Environmental Liabilities: By reducing the pollutants emitted you can reduce your liability and potentially reduce regulatory burden and/or permit costs.

Take advantage of this opportunity!

Ken Grimm, PPRC's Industry Outreach Lead, has completed the Iowa Waste Reduction Center's Train-the-Trainer course in addition to his nearly 20 years of industrial and automotive paint experience. Ken is promoting and providing STAR® training to technical and community colleges as well as commercial autobody shops. Ken has successfully installed training in all of the Community and Technical Colleges in Washington State which have auto body/collision repair programs, as well as schools in Oregon and Idaho. He has also provided training to shop paint technicians in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.

If your business or technical training program is interested in recieving STAR® training, please contact the Project Manager below.

Project Manager: Ken Grimm at PPRC,(206) 352-2050 or by email at kgrimm@pprc.org.

"The state-of-the-art equipment and training have enhanced the training our instructors provide by creating parameters that are more exacting and easier to identify and measure than the common 'eye and feel' method. The industry will benefit greatly as the students enter industry using more efficient methods. STAR not only saves considerable cost, but it also expands the awareness and concern for the environment by saving precious resources."
- Karen Johnson, Dean for Trade and Industry, Renton Technical College